European Federation of Journalists (EFJ)

The Swedish Presidency’s draft compromise proposal is self-defeating, runs contrary to the purpose of the anti-SLAPP Directive and undermines its spirit. It fails to meet the expectations of the European Parliament.

As of 31 December 2022, 127 journalists were reported to be in detention by the Platform, representing a 60% increase on the figure for 2021: Turkey, Belarus and Russia were the worst offenders.

Pablo González was arrested in February 2022 on the Polish-Ukrainian border, where he was reporting on the humanitarian crisis that followed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Under the new draft law, any organisation receiving over 20% of its income from a “foreign power” will have to register on a “Foreign Influence Agents Registry” or face fines of up to € 8,900.

Poczobut was found guilty of allegedly encouraging actions aimed at harming the national security of Belarus and inciting ethnic hostility. Arrested in March 2021, he refused to sign a petition asking Lukashenka for a pardon.

Alexander Nevzorov, branded a ‘foreign agent’ last year, was convicted in absentia in February for allegedly spreading “false information” about Russia’s war on Ukraine.

In 2022, several journalists reporting on climate actions or covering related events were prevented from doing their work, insulted, or physically assaulted. One journalist in central Serbia received death threats.

In Spain, two journalists were arrested while filming an action by Futuro Vegetal activists at the Prado Museum in Madrid; in the UK, three journalists were arrested while covering Just Stop Oil protests on the M25 motorway in Hertfordshire.